Clear Thought – Roy Hargrove

This song is characteristic of Roy Hargrove, with its relatively simple but angular melody and open-ended harmonies—in this case mostly major seventh chords. It has an unusual form: only 20 measures, divided into three contrasting sections of six, eight, and six measures. The A section is full of rhythm section figures which fill in the longer notes of the melody; the chords are all major sevenths, which ascend from D♭maj7 and then descend towards Gmaj7. The B section alternates two measures each of Gmaj7 and Cmaj7, with long notes in the melody on the ♯11ths of these chords; the first six measures of this section feature a rhythmic countermelody played by the piano and bass. In the last two measures of this section there are more rhythm section hits; the changes here descend chromatically through the C section to end up on A♭7.

At the beginning of the C section, the rhythm section finally goes to a 4-feel—but only for four measures, with more hits on the last two. The head is repeated twice, with an extra melody note added in the third measure the second time around.

Solos use a 4-feel throughout, though on the recording tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman's solo is accompanied by the rhythm section figures from the head.

About the arrangement: Second and third horn parts are available, as well as piano and bass parts. The horns are harmonized throughout the head; they're voiced mostly in stacked thirds. On the first, second and fifth measures, the second and third parts hit with the rhythm section; in a few places, they leave out pickup figures in the melody. On the recording, both the piano and guitar comp for the solos; it's not easy to tell exactly what guitarist Danny Gatton is doing on the head, but at least some of the time he appears to be doubling the alto sax second part. The rhythm section figures in the third measure should be noted: the bass plays beat 4, while the piano "answers" with a chord on the "and" of 4. Both piano and bass tie over into the fourth measure.

Drummers should get the Condensed Score to see the hits.